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							http://www.dawn.com/2005/10/30/top9.htm
DAWN
October 30, 2005
By Our Reporter

                     Growth targets will be met, hopes Aziz
ISLAMABAD, Oct 29: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has expressed the hope that the
country will achieve its growth targets. He was talking to the president of US Import and
Export Bank, Mr James Lambright, who called on him in his office here on Saturday. US
ambassador in Pakistan Ryan C Crocker was also present in the meeting.

The prime minister said that he was optimistic that despite the challenges posed by the
devastation caused by the earthquake Pakistan would achieve the growth targets set for
the financial year 2005-06.

Mr Aziz appreciated the humanitarian and logistic support and engineering and medical
assistance provided by US in the earthquake zone. He also commended NATO for
sending its engineers, doctors and other support in these areas.
More…

http://www.dawn.com/2005/10/30/ebr6.htm
DAWN
October 30, 2005

                    Exim Bank to facilitate imports from US
ISLAMABAD, Oct 29: The US Exim Bank is exploring the possibilities of supporting
export of US made locomotives, agricultural equipment and aircraft to Pakistan, said
James Lambright, chairman and president (acting) of Exim Bank while talking to a group
of media persons here on Saturday.

He said he had talked to a number of Pakistani bankers here to explore developing
relationships with them so that “we could find opportunities to support US exports to
their customers.”

He said he had also met several federal ministers, in particular the ministers of agriculture
and railways, “these meetings were held to discuss opportunities for us to support the
purchase of US agriculture equipment and locomotives. These were preliminary
meetings.”

He said the minister of railways was looking at various options for importing 75
locomotives, “we believe ours may be more expensive but they are more reliable more
fuel efficient and less costly to maintain.”
More…
http://nation.com.pk/daily/oct-2005/30/index8.php
THE NATION
October 30, 2005

                               Send more helis to Pak

WASHINGTON (APP) – Some 34 members of the US Congress Friday urged President
George Bush to grant the Temporary Protected Status to Pakistan and urgently send more
helicopters there for help in rendering relief work, sources said.

In a signed letter dated 10/28/05, the bi-partisan members of Congress have urged
President Bush to “immediately add Pakistan to the list of countries designated under the
TPS and to temporarily suspend the deportation proceedings of Pakistanis from the
United States.”

The letter also asks President Bush to send more helicopters to Pakistan. “[We] insist that
you utilise United States military and civilian resources to provide additional helicopters
to Pakistan earthquake relief efforts.”

Last week, a bi-partisan bill, HR4073, was introduced in the House of Representatives by
Congressman Al Green to grant Pakistanis the Temporary Protected Status.
More…

http://www.jang.com.pk/thenews/oct2005-daily/31-10-2005/metro/i9.htm
THE NEWS
October 31, 2005
By Tariq Butt

                US ship brings trucks for quake relief supplies

ISLAMABAD: The USS Pearl Harbor made its third visit to Karachi Saturday, bringing
trucks to carry earthquake relief supplies and earth moving equipment.

The Pakistan Army will transport the equipment to the quake-affected areas, a US
Embassy statement said. This is the fifth delivery of relief assistance made by US naval
vessels in the last two weeks.

On October 17 and 18, the MV Northern Lights and the USS Pearl Harbor were diverted
from normal operations to transport heavy equipment to Karachi for relief efforts,
including cargo trucks, dump trucks, backhoes, forklifts and generators.
On October 24, the USS Peal Harbor made its second trip to Karachi, bringing goods
donated by Pakistanis working in the United Arab Emirates.
More…
http://www.dawn.com/2005/10/30/top14.htm
DAWN
October 30, 2005
By Iftikhar A. Khan

 Donors’ conference planned on Nov 19: Bush has formed fundraising
                            body: Aziz
ISLAMABAD, Oct 29: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Saturday announced that the
international donors’ conference on reconstruction and rehabilitation would be held in
Islamabad on Nov 19.

Talking to reporters after a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Reconstruction and
Rehabilitation, he said the UN secretary-general and presidents of the World Bank and
Asian Development Bank had been invited to attend the conference.

The meeting decided to inform the prospective participants about different dimensions of
the quake damage and reconstruction requirements by Nov 15 so that they came to the
conference fully prepared with their response.

The prime minister said that US President George Bush had formed a committee of top
businessmen to launch a fundraising campaign. He said some of its members had
contacted him and they were also being invited to the conference.
More…

http://www.dawn.com/2005/10/31/top10.htm
DAWN
October 31, 2005
By Our Correspondent

                           Special flight bringing more goods

WASHINGTON, Oct 30: A special C-130 flight is leaving the US for Pakistan on
Monday with emergency relief goods for the survivors of the Oct 8 earthquake.

Also, by this weekend, a total of $174 million had been deposited in the president’s
earthquake relief fund — $156 million from the US government, $15 million from the
corporate sector and $3 million from individuals.

Ambassador Jehangir Karamat told Dawn that the C-130 is a new plane acquired from
the US government for the Pakistan Air Force and was originally supposed to bring
defence equipment.

“But the air force offered to lift relief cargo instead,” he said. The plane is now loading
tents, medicines and other emergency goods at a US military base in Dover, New Jersey.
More…
http://www.dawn.com/2005/10/31/nat4.htm
DAWN
October 31, 2005

                         No plans to reduce relief aid: US

ISLAMABAD, Oct 30: The United States assured Pakistan on Sunday that it had no
intentions of reducing support to the ongoing relief operations in the quake-hit areas and
urged the donor community to be more forthcoming in this regard.

“The US has no plans to diminish its support of its ally Pakistan in its hour of need and
hopes the international community can step up with great increased commitments to
support the relief efforts,” said a statement issued by the US embassy here on Sunday.

Advocating greater and speedy international support for Pakistan in this hour of tragedy
and trial, it added: “We agree with the UN that the international community needs to
greatly step up its level of support to Pakistan in order to provide humanitarian relief
during what will be a protracted relief operation lasting months. We would urge all
donors to do the same.”
More…

http://www.dawn.com/2005/10/30/top7.htm
DAWN
October 30, 2005
By Khaleeq Kiani

                         $2.6 billion PTCL deal collapses

ISLAMABAD, Oct 29: Pakistan’s largest-ever $2.6 billion privatization transaction of
Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) has failed to materialize despite
last-minute government intervention, it was officially confirmed.

Therefore, an emergency meeting presided over by Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on
Saturday night decided to refer the matter to the Cabinet Committee on Privatization
(CCOP) to take next steps of the transaction.

“In spite of the necessary facilitation within the transaction framework, Etisalat failed to
make payment of the balance bid amount within the mutually agreed extended timeline of
October 28, 2005,” said a statement officially issued by the Privatization Commission at
2200 hours on Saturday.

“The matter is being referred to the Privatization Board and to the Cabinet Committee on
Privatization for their guidance on the next steps of the transaction,” the brief statement
issued after the meeting said.
More….
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2005\10\31\story_31-10-
2005_pg7_6
DAILY TIMES
Monday, October 31, 2005
By Khalid Hasan

          Arrested consulate worker’s fate to be known this week
WASHINGTON: The locally employed consular assistant at the Pakistani Consulate in
New York remains in custody despite efforts by his employers over the weekend to have
him released.

Mohammad Yunus Qureshi was picked up by US authorities on Thursday, apparently for
staying on beyond expiry of his work permit. Qureshi is not a diplomat.

He may be released - unless he has been arrested for reasons other than violation of
immigration regulations - in the next two days.

Qureshi, in the US for the last 15 years, did not return to Pakistan when he retired around
three years ago. He obtained a work visa on the basis of re-employment by the Pakistan
Consulate. This work permit was renewed every year.
More…

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2005\10\31\story_31-10-
2005_pg7_42
DAILY TIMES
Monday, October 31, 2005

            Pakistani-Americans to hold quake awareness events
WASHINGTON: Seventeen Pakistani-American and American-Muslim organisations
have jointly called on Pakistani and Muslim communities in the US to hold quake
awareness events on the coming Eid.

Ranging from prayers and memorials to peaceful rallies, marches, and vigils, the events
will be held immediately after Eid prayers, with each community deciding on its own
preferred format. The organisers hope that all major cities across the US will take part.
The events will be focused on three main goals: keeping the issue alive, informing fellow
Americans about the need for long-term US involvement and cementing a Pakistani-
American and American-Muslim commitment to the reconstruction of the devastated
areas.

The sponsoring organisations are: the American Muslim Alliance; the American Muslim
Society of Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware; the Association of Physicians of
Pakistani Descent of North America; the Coalition of Pakistani Organisations of Chicago;
More…
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2005\10\29\story_29-10-
2005_pg7_2
DAILY TIMES
Saturday, October 29, 2005

                        Annan, Clinton to visit Pakistan

WASHINGTON: A leading South Asian expert has expressed his disappointment over
the Bush administration’s continued reluctance to push the Musharraf regime on the
question of restoring democracy and returning the country to representative rule.

Robert M Hathaway, head of the South Asia programme at the Woodrow Wilson Centre,
said in an interview to India Abroad that he was “very disappointed” by the recent
response of Under Secretary of State Nicholas Burns to the question as to why the
administration continues to prop up unrepresentative rule in Pakistan, providing it with
“military largesse, without questioning the lack of tangible effort to move the country
towards democracy.” Hathaway said, “For an administration that prides itself on putting
the promotion of democracy in the forefront of its agenda, I just don’t understand why we
continue to be absolutely silent on this issue with respect to Pakistan.”

The Woodrow Wilson expert on South Asia said, “Anyone who visits Pakistan, anyone
that talks to Pakistanis, knows that the United States’ image suffers badly in Pakistan
More…

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2005\10\29\story_29-10-
2005_pg7_50
DAILY TIMES
Saturday, October 29, 2005

       Expert raps US for not pushing Pakistan towards democracy

WASHINGTON: A leading South Asian expert has expressed his disappointment over
the Bush administration’s continued reluctance to push the Musharraf regime on the
question of restoring democracy and returning the country to representative rule.

Robert M Hathaway, head of the South Asia programme at the Woodrow Wilson Centre,
said in an interview to India Abroad that he was “very disappointed” by the recent
response of Under Secretary of State Nicholas Burns to the question as to why the
administration continues to prop up unrepresentative rule in Pakistan, providing it with
“military largesse, without questioning the lack of tangible effort to move the country
towards democracy.” Hathaway said, “For an administration that prides itself on putting
the promotion of democracy in the forefront of its agenda, I just don’t understand why we
continue to be absolutely silent on this issue with respect to Pakistan.”
More…
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2005\10\30\story_30-10-
2005_pg7_2
DAILY TIMES
October 30, 2005
By Mohammed Rizwan

          Pakistan gets $240m out of $1.7b foreign donors’ pledge
LAHORE: Though pledges from donor countries in the aftermath of the October 8
earthquake has touched an impressive figure of more than $1.7 billion including $580
million pledged under the UN’s flash appeal, the actual amount of money transferred to
Pakistan’s kitty so far has not been more than $240 million, a senior official involved
with the relief operation told Daily Times on Friday.

The meagre amount and painfully slow transfer of money pledges to Pakistan’s quake
victims is threatening to halt the entire relief operation within a couple of days, as the UN
and other relief agencies working on the ground are getting frustrated. The UN
announced on Thursday of a clear danger of the relief operation grounding to a halt, as
the world body was running out of helicopter fuel.

According to the latest information released by the UN and widely reported by the media,
the world body had so far received just 2 percent ($1.5 million) of the $95 million needed
More…

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2005\10\30\story_30-10-
2005_pg7_24
DAILY TIMES
Monday, October 31, 2005

                  FIA sets up anti-fake drug cells countrywide
                     * Major fake drug-runner arrested from Lahore

LAHORE: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has established a countrywide
network of Drug Detection Units (DDUs), reliable sources within the agency told Daily
Times on Saturday. The DDUs have been established with technical; assistance from the
federal and provincial health departments of all four provinces.

Officials said that FIA crime circles would supervise the DDUs, which were launched
primarily to crackdown on fake drug manufacturing in Pakistan.

Each crime circle’s assistant director will head the DDU. A top-level meeting of officials
from all concerned departments was held in the FIA’s Lahore headquarters. Sources said
that during the meeting, the director general of the Federal Health Department and the
chief drug inspector of Punjab also presented their suggestions for effective operations
against drug manufacturers.
.More…
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2005\10\30\story_30-10-
2005_pg7_54
DAILY TIMES
Monday, October 31, 2005

              Congressmen ask Bush for more help to Pakistan

WASHINGTON: Thirty-four members of Congress have urged President George Bush to
grant “Temporary Protected Status” to Pakistan and to urgently send more helicopters to
the country for relief work.

The letter sent on Friday asks the president to “immediately add Pakistan to the list of
countries designated under Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and to temporarily suspend
the deportation proceedings of Pakistanis from the US. We insist that you utilise US
military and civilian resources to provide additional helicopters to Pakistan earthquake
relief efforts”.

Last week, bi-partisan bill was introduced in the House of Representatives by
Congressman Al Green to grant Pakistan Temporary Protected Status, which allows
aliens who do not legally qualify as refugees, but are nonetheless fleeing or reluctant to
return to potentially dangerous situations, to temporarily remain in the US.
More…

http://www.brecorder.com/index.php?id=347872&currPageNo=1&query=&search=
&term=&supDate
BUSINESS RECORDER
October 31, 2005

                             IFC to launch pilot project

ISLAMABAD (October 31 2005): The International Finance Corporation (IFC) is
launching a pilot 'Alternative Dispute Resolution (ARD) mediation project in Pakistan,
official sources told Business Recorder here on Sunday.

They said that Ministry of Law and Justice and International Finance Corporation would
sign here a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on Tuesday for enhancement of
legislative framework for ADR.

They said that the aim of the pilot project was to help mitigate expensive and lengthy
court procedures and help extricate small and medium enterprises from business
hindering litigations by offering them out-of-court mediation of their commercial
disputes.

They said that this was an initiative of IFC technical assistance facility known as the
private Enterprise Partnership Middle East and North Africa (PIP MENA).
More…
http://www.brecorder.com/index.php?id=347853&currPageNo=1&query=&search=
&term=&supDate
BUSINESS RECORDER
October 31, 2005

           Where from is funding coming for private investment?
KARACHI (October 31 2005): Where from is the financing coming to fund the industrial
capacity enhancement in the private sector? This question is perplexing the monetary
analysts in the State Bank of Pakistan.

The incremental capital output ratio (ICOR) has dropped to 2.0 as against 3.0 to 3.5--the
normal range for Pakistan's economy. SBP feels that investment by the private sector is
being understated by the statistical authorities.

SBP's Annual Report FY05, issued on Saturday, notes that despite a rise in nominal
investment during the preceding three years, the investment-to-GDP ratio has remained
stagnant in recent years, continuing to hover around 15.5 percent in the last three years.

"While the decline in public investment as percentage of GDP is consistent with the
increasing importance of private sector, the absence of a corresponding acceleration in
private investment is disappointing.
More…

http://www.brecorder.com/index.php?id=347880&currPageNo=2&query=&search=
&term=&supDate
BUSINESS RECORDER
October 31, 2005

                   US not to diminish support in quake relief
 ISLAMABAD (October 31 2005): The US has no plans to diminish its support of its ally
Pakistan in its hour of need, and hopes that the international community can step up with
great increased commitments to support the relief efforts, US Embassy said here on
Sunday.

The Embassy said that "the United States is aware of recent stories in the media,
suggesting that relief helicopters will soon stop flying if donations to UN effort don't
increase", and offered the following by way of clarification.

1. US relief operations are continuing on an accelerated basis, with increasing quantities
of relief supplies being airlifted on daily basis.

2. In the three weeks since the devastating earthquake, US helicopters have flown nearly
800 sorties to quake-stricken areas and have delivered more than 2.8 million pounds
More…
http://www.brecorder.com/index.php?id=347848&currPageNo=1&query=&search=
&term=&supDate
BUSINESS RECORDER
October 31, 2005

                     Hafeez in Dubai to discuss PTCL issue

ISLAMABAD (October 31 2005): Minister for Privatisation and Investment Hafeez
Shaikh reached Dubai on Sunday on the special directive of Prime Minister to discuss
with Etisalat the stalemate developed in PTCL deal.

Sources in Islamabad told Aaj TV that the minister would have extensive negotiations
with Etisalat, the successful bidder for 1.326 billion shares representing 26 percent of
Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) shareholding.

It is to note that Etisalat had failed to pay the final bid amount by the mutually agreed
extended deadline, October 28, and hence decided to back off from the deal.

The situation forced the privatisation minister, along with Minister for Information
Technology Awais Leghari and privatisation secretary, to have a meeting with Prime
Minister Shaukat Aziz late on Saturday night.
More…